Partnership for Public Service AI Use Policy and Guidelines

Summary

The Partnership for Public Service has created a comprehensive AI governance framework specifically designed for public sector organizations navigating the complexities of artificial intelligence implementation. What sets this policy apart is its synthesis of proven approaches from high-impact nonprofits like the Emerson Collective, Center for Democracy and Technology, MacArthur Foundation, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Rather than starting from scratch, this resource adapts successful AI governance strategies from organizations that have already wrestled with responsible AI deployment in mission-critical contexts.

The Cross-Pollination Advantage

This policy's unique strength lies in its cross-sector learning approach. The Partnership for Public Service didn't just develop another government AI policy in a vacuum—they studied how leading nonprofits have successfully balanced innovation with responsibility. The Emerson Collective's approach to AI ethics in social justice work, CDT's framework for democratic technology governance, MacArthur's risk assessment protocols for philanthropic AI use, and the Gates Foundation's global-scale AI deployment strategies all contributed to this comprehensive framework.

This cross-pollination creates a policy that's both idealistic enough for public service missions and practical enough to actually implement.

Core Policy Architecture

The guidelines are built around three interconnected pillars:

• Impact Assessment First: Before any AI deployment, organizations must conduct thorough impact analyses that consider not just efficiency gains but also equity implications, democratic values, and public trust factors.
• Graduated Risk Management: The policy establishes different governance requirements based on AI application risk levels, from low-risk automation tools to high-risk decision-support systems affecting citizen services.
• Continuous Accountability: Rather than one-time approvals, the framework requires ongoing monitoring, public reporting, and adaptive governance as AI systems evolve.

Getting Your Organization AI-Ready

The policy includes a practical readiness assessment covering five key areas: leadership commitment, technical infrastructure, staff capabilities, legal compliance, and community engagement capacity. Organizations can use this assessment to identify gaps before implementing AI systems rather than discovering problems mid-deployment.

The framework also provides template governance structures, from AI review committees to citizen advisory panels, complete with role definitions and decision-making processes.

Who This Resource Is For

• Public sector executives looking for proven AI governance models adapted for government contexts
• Chief information officers in federal, state, and local agencies preparing for AI integration
• Policy analysts developing or updating AI governance frameworks for public organizations
• Nonprofit leaders wanting to learn from peer organizations' AI governance experiences
• Government contractors needing to understand public sector AI governance expectations
• Academic researchers studying the evolution of AI policy in public service contexts

Implementation Realities

The policy acknowledges common implementation challenges head-on. It addresses budget constraints typical in public sector AI initiatives, provides guidance for organizations with limited technical expertise, and includes strategies for building public trust during AI deployment.

Particularly valuable are the sections on stakeholder engagement—how to involve communities in AI governance decisions and maintain transparency without compromising operational effectiveness. The policy recognizes that public sector AI governance isn't just about managing technology; it's about maintaining democratic legitimacy.